Deadheading your buddleia is as easy as picking away spent blossoms to encourage new growth but doing this at the right time is crucial to controlling this lush shrub. Keeping this seed rich plant looking neat and vibrant by pruning will help you get the most out of its colourful, honey scented petals – and this quick guide will tell you exactly how to do it.
How quickly do buddleia grow?
The lilac buddleia which is most common around Britain is known for its unique ability to grow anywhere and has been coined as the ‘bombsite buddleia’, as it can be seen to flourish across railways, fences and almost any patch of derelict ground – spreading its long, arching branches.
These slender clumps of flowers can be seen in a range of colours, usually lilac but also blue, deeper purple or white with their blossoms full of seeds ready to germinate.
It is the plant’s highly dispersible seeds that make deadheading so crucial for the Buddleia as a means of controlling the growth of this voluminous garden plant.
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TIPS:
- Spent blossoms are easily identified by their muddy brown colour and weak texture.
- Lightly tend to spend blossoms and weak branches throughout the growing season as flowers bloom and fade and to prevent unwanted growth through seeding.
Buddleia are a hive of activity in the summer when they are in full bloom, attracting butterflies, bees and other pollinators to feed on the nectar-filled flowers, so if you’re looking to attract more nature to your garden this bright shrub will do the trick.
